Nissan is to become the first Japanese car manufacturer competing in Formula E

Nissan is set to become the first Japanese car manufacturer competing in Formula E with an entry in the fifth season of the electric car racing series, organizers announced on Wednesday (25th October).

Formula E said in a statement that Nissan would replace one of the existing manufacturers in the 2018/19 season, Reuters reported.

Renault, which works in alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, has also announced that it will be leaving Formula E to focus on its Formula 1 project at the end of the upcoming season four. The Renault e.dams team has dominated the sport in its early years, winning the team title in all of the first three seasons.

“To have a name like Nissan coming on board is a momentous day for the series,” said Formula E chief executive, Alejandro Agag, in a statement.

“It’s great to see our first Japanese manufacturer entering the frame, showing truly how global the electric revolution is. Japan is a country at the forefront of new technologies with one of the biggest followings of Formula E.”

Daniele Schillaci, executive vice-president of global marketing and sales, zero-emission vehicles and battery business, said joining the championship would “give us a global platform for bringing our pioneering Nissan Intelligent Mobility strategy to a new generation of racing fans”.

He said: “Nissan’s DNA is rich in innovation in electric mobility, not to mention a long history of success in motorsports. It makes sense that we bring these two core elements together by competing in Formula E.”

Manufacturers already involved in the electric series include BMW, Audi, Renault, Jaguar, Citroen and India’s Mahindra.

Mercedes and Porsche are due to arrive for season six, which is scheduled to start in 2019 and end in 2020.